Detroit is preparing to launch Rx Kids Detroit, a cash-aid program that would provide $1,500 to all expectant mothers and $500 per month for at least six months after birth, aiming to be one of the largest programs of its kind in the country.

Rx Kids is a collaboration led by Michigan State University and Dr. Mona Hanna, with state and local endorsements highlighting its potential health and financial benefits.

Mayor Mary Sheffield says roughly $9 million has been raised for Rx Kids, with an additional $2.5 million still needed; funding comes from foundations, businesses, and the city contributing $500,000 annually for three years, while the 2026 state budget includes $250 million for expansion.

Enrollment will open in the coming weeks, with a specific start date to be announced.

Funding remains a constraint: state budget cuts could limit expansion and reduce the number served by about 6,000, potentially slowing growth despite demand.

Applications can be submitted at rxkids.org once signups begin in each community.

Rx Kids faces funding uncertainties from state appropriation actions, which may limit near-term expansion, though the program remains active in participating communities.

Early 2025 research from Flint shows positive outcomes, including a 91% drop in evictions among eligible moms after birth and a drop in postpartum depression from 46% to 33%, along with a 29% reduction in NICU admissions.

Other Flint findings show a 27% drop in low birth weights and an 18% decrease in preterm births, with improvements in housing stability and food access for new mothers.

Additional research suggests 100–200 new jobs annually could be created through increased household spending linked to Rx Kids.

Major supporters include The Skillman Foundation, GreenLight Fund Detroit, W.K. Kellogg Foundation, Kresge Foundation, General Motors Co., and Huntington Bank, with 2026 state funding still being finalized.

Personal testimonies from participating mothers describe reduced stress, better ability to cover essentials, and improvements in mental health and housing stability.